Softball pitcher Briana Alonzo, above, practices before her game. Team members Johnny Fetui and Lucas Garcia, at left, listen to team introductions at opening day of the Sylmar Independent Baseball League on Saturday.

Before the first pitch was even thrown Saturday, Sylmar Independent Baseball League had already scored a victory.

Several hundred kids, parents, grandparents and volunteers turned out to see the 58-year-old little league’s return to glory after it fell into disrepair, prompting a lawsuit for control and new management.

“I remember I came two years ago and walked around, this place was dead,” SIBL Vice President Greg Ramos said. “Just to see the turnout and everyone behind it, working together, it’s great.” Last spring, former management of the 21-acre site that sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains handed over control to a community group that filed a lawsuit.

The legal action, alleging mismanagement caused the complex to fall into disrepair, was brought by former coach and new league president, Joe Kirk.

“I had my reservations about coming back,” Kirk said. “But I said to myself, ‘these kids deserve what my kids had, and I want to help them have that.’”

Registration in the league doubled this year over last, growing to 500 boys and girls ages 4 to 15-years-old, in what Kirk said is a sign SIBL has begun restoring its image in the community.

The first thing, Kirk said was making sure every penny was tracked and spent on the program. But even more important, was restoring the complex. After years of neglect, its fields had turned brown and were filled with holes. Its paint was peeling and graffiti was scrawled in various places.

A volunteer force of community members and parents went to work, painting the dugouts, power washing the sidewalks and restoring the grassy fields.

“They had to see the money was going back into the league,” Kirk said. “It started with the field, getting them green again.”

The sod, paint and other supplies were donated by the Home Depot in San Fernando. Other area businesses also forked over cash and supplies for Sylmar’s past time.

“Something like this, and we can give being the in the business we’re in, we’d never say no,” Home Depot Supervisor Vince Villa said.

Shirley Cook, who has been involved with the league for 30 years, even returned after leaving over disputes with previous management.

“I came back to rescue SIBL,” Cook said.

Despite the turnaround, the mother and grandmother of former players said she estimates the league’s “only about half speed” in terms of players.

But repairs to the complex, its six baseball and three softball fields continue every day. In the next few weeks, the carpenters union will begin replacing the rotted wood roofs that sit atop dugouts. The repairs will be completed thanks to an effort by Councilman Felipe Fuentes.

Kirk said the season and years ahead look bright for SIBL.

“It’s been a labor of love, because we knew what SIBL once was and will be again,” Kirk said.